Myth of the Independent Voter

Keith/Magleby

Published by University of California Press 1992

Myth of the Independent Voter

Keith/Magleby
Edited by: Bruce E. Keith , David B. Magleby , Candice J. Nelson and Elizabeth A. Orr

https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520912236

Overview
Contents

About this book

Few events in American politics over the past two decades have generated more attention than the increasing number of voters calling themselves Independent. By the early 1970s Independents outnumbered Republicans, according to many eminent experts on voting behavior. Yet the authors of this incisive new commentary on American politics claim that most of this widespread speculation on declining party affiliation is simply wrong. They contend that most so-called Independents lean strongly toward one of the two parties and resemble—in all important respects—either Democrats or Republicans. Contrary to expert opinion, only a small segment of voters are truly "independent" of either major party.

Based on the most up-to-date 1990 data, The Myth of the Independent Voter provides a roadmap of the political arena for the general reader and scholar alike. Debunking conventional wisdom about voting patterns and allaying recent concerns about electoral stability and possible third party movements, the authors uncover faulty polling practices that have resulted in a skewed sense of the American voting population.

Demonstrating that most of what has been written about Independents for more than thirty years is myth, this challenging book offers a trenchant new understanding of the party system, voting behavior, and public opinion.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	I
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	VII
Figures Publicly Available Download PDF	IX
Tables Publicly Available Download PDF	XI
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	XV
1 Partisanship and Independence Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2 Partisan Shifts among Blacks and Southerners Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	26
3 The Civic Virtue of Partisans and Independents Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	38
4 How Independents Vote Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	60
5 Partisans or Independents? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	76
6 Age, Education, and Dealignment Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	112
7 Issues and Dealignment Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	136
8 Alienation and Independence Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	169
9 Alternatives Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	179
10 Conclusions Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	197
Appendix: Items in the National Election Studies Alienation Indexes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	205
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	207
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	217

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: University of California Press
Audience: College/higher education;
Pages
- Main content: 244
Keywords: Political Science; General

eBook

Published: August 31, 1992
ISBN: 9780520912236

Paperback

Planned Publication: August 31, 1992
ISBN: 9780520077201